The Joy of Pain

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD." -James 1: 1-12 (KJV)

It is strange to think that God can just do this to our lives. To think that He allowed Satan to destroy Job's life to prove him wrong. Why would God do this to His creation? Does He not understand what we go through? I mean, come on! It is like God is superior to us.

My friends, God is superior to us. It is not about our feelings, comforts or worldly happiness. We are God's creation. He can do what He wants to do without our permission.

How would you feel if the painting you spent so much time creating asked you: "Why did you color me blue right here?" "Why did you give me this circle when that painting has a triangle?" "Why did you paint me this way? I hate it."

Who are we to talk back to God? Who are we to question God? Where were we when God created this world? We must humble ourselves, my friends.

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? -Romans 9:20 (KJV)

During a sermon, Francis Chan brought up a cup and a couple of bugs. He drew a circle on the projector and placed the bugs that were in the cup onto the projector inside the circle. He then said, "Ok! I want you all to pick a bug, and whichever bug crosses the line first is the winner. Ready? Go!" Everyone was cheering the little bugs on. Once one of the bugs crossed the finish line, the people that chose that bug yelled, "Yay, way to go bug!!"

Now, do you think the bugs had any idea what was going on? Do you think they knew why they were taken away from their homes and forced onto this blinding light? No, they were just doing what they do.

God knows what He is doing, and we just need to follow Him. We do not need to know why certain things happen; we just need to have faith in God. Our battle is not flesh and blood. This is a spiritual war. We are a part of it, but there is something much bigger going on above us. We have to go beyond what is visible to our human eye to make sense of God's plans. You won't get through the trials of life until you can understand the bigger picture.

I am not saying that your pain is not real, because it is. Even in anguish, consider it joy when you are surrounded by trials and pains. The testing of your faith produces growth. Consider it joy because this will make you stronger. Consider it joy because God is working on you.

I went through an incredibly difficult experience last year, yet I went through it with thanksgiving. God gave me the wisdom to see that all of the pain I was experiencing in my life was because He was growing me spiritually. I laid down my pain for the realization that God knew why it was all happening. He is working on my heart and mind, morphing it into something that will glorify Him.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. -James 1:12 (KJV)

The testing of our faith is the way we become holy. He wants to see His reflection in you. He wants you to be what you were created to be. We are His children, so let's humble ourselves before the throne of the mighty God. And during those trials, go straight to God with joy in your heart. He knows what He is doing.